Chapter 22: Couples

Eldertree ColiseumSeveral large holographic screens floated in midair, each displaying a different scene from the Survival Matrix for the audience to watch.

There were a total of ten screens—the same number as the doorways leading into the Survival Matrix.

Each screen showed unique scenarios and the diverse struggles each participant was facing.

The visuals were almost overwhelming. Most of the audience found it hard to focus on any particular screen since every single one was equally engaging.

The enormous gathering had fallen silent, everyone fixated on the scenes playing out before them.

Because there were too many scenes happening at once, the sound had been disabled.

However, from time to time, all the screens would switch to display the same scene for a few seconds or a minute and during that time, sound would be temporarily enabled.

At that moment, the screen displayed a frozen landscape and zoomed in on the interaction between two small teams.

Murmurs ran through the crowd as they recognized Lyra Whitlock.

Meanwhile, in the VIP section, a couple watched another figure with matching frowns on their faces.

One of them was a middle-aged man with sleek black hair and sharp blue eyes. He was dressed casually, yet his calm, commanding aura carried the weight of an ancient noble. He was Osward Ashleigh, owner of Ashleigh Aerospace, the largest aerospace company in the world.

Beside him sat his wife, Morgana Ashleigh, who looked breathtaking even in her middle age. Her blonde hair glimmered softly beneath the lights, and her poise— accentuated by an elegant gown— made her look like a queen from an ancient medieval film.

"Our son teamed up with the youngest daughter of the Whitlock family," Morgana said, her tone neutral but tinged with curiosity. "How interesting."

Osward scoffed lightly. "He must’ve begged or bribed his way into her team. Hard to believe that boy carries my blood. Thankfully, he’s not my only child. If the Ashleigh name I built with sweat and sacrifice ended up in his hands, it’d have crumbled."

Morgana smiled faintly, her expression softening as her thoughts drifted to her first son.

"Maddox has always brought honor to our family," she whispered. "His achievements and fame have erased the shame his brother brought upon us."

She secretly felt grateful that her husband had used his influence to erase all traces of Marlon’s name and picture from the internet. The world knew Osward had a second child—but his identity remained hidden.

Only a select few knew his real name and face.

Morgana exhaled softly, pushing old thoughts away before focusing back on the screen.

The amplified voice of a muscular young man echoed through the coliseum speakers...he was threatening Marlon, demanding that he hand over his valuables in exchange for his life.

Her expression remained indifferent, though a small spark of amusement flickered in her eyes. Valuables? Him? she thought. She knew the bullies were wasting their time picking on him.

Then Marlon’s voice came, sharp and clear, laced with dry mockery:

"Did anyone ever tell you that those beards and muscles make you look scary? Because they don’t. You look like a bunch of cavemen who just discovered hair gel. If stupidity had a gym membership, you guys would be lifetime platinum members."

His insult blasted across the entire coliseum.

A wave of laughter erupted throughout the crowd. Even among the dignified guests in the VIP area, chuckles and grins broke out.

Meanwhile, the Ashleigh couple’s faces froze instantly.

When did their son learn to talk back like that?

The Marlon they knew had never stood up to anyone, not even to the guards and maids in the Ashleigh mansion who used to mock and humiliate him at every chance.

What could have possibly changed him so much?

Nonetheless, the next moment shocked them even more.

The leader of the bullies lunged at Marlon but Marlon moved with uncanny speed, dodging precisely with a fluid agility that should’ve been impossible for someone like him. Someone weak. Untalented.

But that wasn’t even the most unbelievable part.

When Marlon grabbed the burly attacker’s wrist, holding him in place long enough for Lyra to slice off his hand—their jaws dropped.

The coliseum erupted into wild applause at the perfect teamwork.

Naturally, most cheers were directed at Lyra, the daughter of the Whitlock family.

The broadcast focused entirely on their scene because of her presence. Otherwise, it would’ve been skipped like countless other skirmishes happening within the Matrix.

Moments later, the burly boy whose hand had been severed was expelled through the portal and landed outside, screaming in agony. His cries, however, were drowned beneath the roar of two hundred thousand cheering spectators.

Fortunately, medics arrived swiftly and carried him away.

Back inside the Matrix, Lyra and Marlon rushed forward together, knocking out the remaining three bullies within three seconds flat.

Once they were unconscious, their ID bracelets were taken off—and just like their leader, they were expelled from the Matrix, spat out by the portal and left lying motionless outside.

"T-this..." Osward stammered as he rose from his seat.

Morgana had her hand over her open mouth, her face frozen in disbelief.

"Has he... awakened his talent?" Osward asked in shock.

"That’s impossible," Morgana replied quickly. "The test results were clear—he was never supposed to awaken one."

While the couple debated, torn between disbelief and confusion, in another VIP section, Norian Sterling sat silently, his eyes narrowing slightly as he studied the screens.

A thought flickered through his mind. He had noticed something subtle that everyone else had missed, but he kept it to himself for now.

He needed to observe longer before drawing any conclusions.

Turning toward the elegant secretary beside him, he said quietly, "Bring me the media team."

...

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